Valentino Achak Deng

Date: November 10 2009 7:30pmLocation: Agnes Flanagan Chapel

Agnes Flanagan Chapel

Valention Achak Deng is the subject of Dave Eggers, What is What. One of Sudan’s “lost boys,” Valentino walked across Sudan at age 11 to escape the second Sudanese civil war. The book tells of his trying experiences during his journey to escape violence, including his numerous stays at refugee camps and his new life in America.

Valentino met Dave Eggers in January 2003 in Atlanta, where Valentino had been living since his resettlement to the United States in 2001. He was already well known as a captivating public speaker and spokesman for the Sudanese community. After spending a weekend with Dave in Atlanta, Valentino asked him to help write his autobiography. He felt that his story could convey to the world the realities of what happened in the civil war in southern Sudan, and its effect on the people there.

Early on, Valentino and Dave decided that any and all proceeds from the book would be controlled by Valentino and used to help the Sudanese community. Thus, the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation was created. Its focus is on providing better educational opportunities for the Sudanese both in souther Sudan and the U.S.

Valentino’s visit is sponsored by Lewis & Clark’s chapter of STAND, a Student Anti-Genocide Coalition. STAND is a student organization with hundreds of local chapters dedicated to creating an international anti-genocide constituency and ending global genocide. The event is also co-sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.